Surgical instrument and method of use for facilitating positioning of an osteochondral plug

Abstract

A surgical instrument and method are provided for positioning an osteochondral plug within a bone defect site. The instrument includes an elongate shaft, a ribbon, an elongate sleeve and a locking mechanism. The shaft has proximal and distal ends, with the distal end being shaped to contact the osteochondral plug. The ribbon extends along two sides of the shaft and around the distal end, forming a loop that is used to secure the osteochondral plug to the distal end. The sleeve is movably mounted to the shaft for reciprocating relative thereto between retracted and extended positions. The sleeve includes a slot that allows for visualization and cutting of the ribbon. The locking mechanism locks the ribbon in place and thereby controls the size and tension of the loop that surrounds the osteochondral plug, securing it to the distal end of the shaft.

1. A method of grasping an osteochondral plug, the method comprising: employing a surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft with proximal and distal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end of the elongate shaft being configured to contact an osteochondral plug; a ribbon extending along opposing sides of the elongate shaft and forming a loop at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein when in use, the loop is sized to receive the osteochondral plug to the distal end of the elongate shaft; an elongate sleeve having a proximal and a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, wherein the elongate sleeve surrounds the elongate shaft and facilitates holding the ribbon in place relative to the elongate shaft; and a locking mechanism disposed near the proximal end of the elongate shaft for locking the ribbon relative to the elongate shaft when in a locked position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a clamp and a rotatable bolt mounted to the clamp, the rotatable bolt being longitudinally movable between a proximal unlocked position wherein the ribbon is not locked and a distal locked position wherein the bolt engages and secures an end portion of the ribbon between a surface of the bolt and a proximal surface of the clamp, wherein the ribbon includes a first end portion secured by the clamp when the bolt is in the proximal unlocked position and in and opposite thereto, a second end portion which is releasably secured by the bolt; placing the osteochondral plug within the loop of the ribbon; pulling one end of the ribbon to adjust a length of the ribbon and thereby size of the loop to tighten the loop around the osteochondral plug; and engaging the locking mechanism to secure the ribbon relative to the elongate shaft and thereby secure the osteochondral plug to the distal end of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the osteochondral plug with a width D, and wherein the ribbon comprises a width W, wherein width W is equal to or less than width D. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the employing further comprises providing the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a locking member threadably coupled to the proximal end of the elongated shaft for securing the ribbon relative to the elongate shaft when in a locked position, and wherein when in an unlocked position, the locking mechanism allows for removal of the ribbon from the elongate shaft. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the employing further comprises providing the elongate shaft with at least one of a planar surface, a convex surface and a concave surface. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon comprising a substantially flexible, biocompatible material. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon is fabricated from at least one of UHMW polyethylene, thermoplastic polymer, thermosetting polymer, ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal, elemental metal, metal alloy, fiber reinforced material, carbon based material, PEEK, ABS polymers, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester film, polyester fiber, tetrafluroethylene polymer, fluoro polymers, fluorocarbon resins, TFE copolymers, polytetrafluroethylene and polyamides.